Convertible packing case



g- 1929- M. F. ROSER CONVERTIBLE PACKING CASE Filed Aug. 27, 1927 INVENTOR. ("I 0091 5 7'? Room- III/Ill wlIIIA'lIIIlIIlI/Illnwill!!! A TTORNE Y.

Patented Aug. 20, 1929.

UNITED STATES MATHIAS F. ROSER, OF ROYAL OAK, MICHIGAN.

CONVERTIBLE PACKING CASE.

Application filed August 27, 1927. Serial No. 215,782.

My invention relates to a new and useful improvement in a convertible packing case adapted for use either as a packing case or as a valise or container in which various articles may be carried after the device has served its purpose as a packing case.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a structure which will, in one form, serve the usual purpose now served by packing cases and which will permit an easy and quick converting of the device into a valise or container for transporting articles.

It is another object of the invention to provide a packing case with lines of folding so that when it is desired, certain parts of the packing case may be collapsed and moved relatively to each other to provide the structure and form desired when used as a valise.

Another object of the invention is the provision in a packing case of handles or gripping members so arranged and constructed that when the packing case is converted into a valise or carrying member these handles may be moved to operative position, and while the device is used as a packing case may be so positioned as not to interfere with the usual functions of the device as a packing case.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a device of this class which will be simple in structure, economical of manufacture and highly efiic'ient in use.

Other objects will appear hereinafter.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts; hereinafter described and claimed.

The invention will be best understood by a reference to the accompanying drawings which form a part of this specification and in which,

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the invention in the form for use as a packing case with'soine of the flaps in closed position and some in open position.

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the device when folded into position for use as a valise.

Fig. 3 is a perspective View of a slightly modified form of the device shown in Fig. 2 with a part broken away.

Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the invention folded to valise form with a part broken away.

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 55 of Fig. 4.

Fig. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 66 of Fig. 3.

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view taken on line 77 of Fig. 6. V

Fig. 8 is a fragmentary perspective view of it side wall of a modified form of the invenion.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to slightly modified.

Fig. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view showing one of the side walls with a modified form of gripping member.

The packing cases as now commonly used are formed from heavy cardboard which serves to contain a number of cans, bottles, packages, etc., which it is desired to transport to long distances, these cardboard packing cases serving their function quite Well and serving also as an advertising medium, the goods contained within the packing case generally being advertised on the exterior thereof. With the packing case now used, after it has served its function as a. packing case it is scrapped, being of no further use. Consequently, the material from which the packing case is made becomes waste and the value of the packing case as an advertising medium ends. By constructing a packing case as set out herein, it is designed to eliminate to a large extent the waste and to prolong the life of the packing case material as an advertising medium.

In Fig. 1 I have shown the packing case in perspective, which is constructed very similar to packing cases as now used, and comprises the side Walls and 16, the end walls 17 and 18, and the usual bottom wall formed from a pair of flaps 19 and 20 which are folded inwardly and generally secured by the reinforcing flaps 21 and 22 which extend Fig. 8 further .transversely thereof. When the container is formed foruse as a packing case the reinforcing flaps 21 and 22 are generally glued on the flaps 19 and 20 to retain the same in cooperative relation, the flaps 23 and 24 being projected from the upper edge of the end walls 17 and 18. Flaps 25 and 26 are also secured to the upper edges of the side walls 15 and 16, the flaps 23 and 24 being folded inwardly when the container is filled, and the flaps 25 and 26 being folded over on these flaps and glued in posit-ion. This is the usual structure of the packing case used and the advertising medium is generally displayed on the side and end walls. 2

In forming a packing case so that it may be used as a valise, I score grooves 27 on the end wall 17, these grooves meeting substantially at the medial line of the upper edge of the end wall 17. 24 I similarly provide grooves or scorings 28 which meet at the meeting point of the grooves orscorings 27. Prior to forming the device into a valise the flaps 23 and 24 are folded inwardly to lie in engagement with their respective side walls, in which case, the scorings 28 will register with the scorings or grooves 27. l Vhen this has been done, the upper edge of the, end walls 17 and 18 may be pressed inwardly, as shown in Fig. 2 and Fig. 4, these walls folding on the line of scorings 27 and 28. In this way, the end flaps 23 and 24 serve to reinforce the end walls and to preventan inward collapsing of the container. vVhen these end walls are folded inwardly they curve on the line 29. The flaps 26 and may also be folded inwardly to engage the inner surface of their respective walls on which attached, and the upper edges of these side walls 15 and 16 move into approach, these walls curving on the line 30 which is defined by the lower edge of the flaps 25 and 26.

In Fig. 2 I have illustrated the handles or gripping members 31 and 32 which are formed preferably from cord or other flexible material, and projected through the edges of the side walls 15 and 16 and the flaps 25 and 26, thus securing a double layer of the mate rial and affording a firm attachment for carrying the device. In this form I have also shown a cord or flexible member which is extended around the bottom of the container, and thence upwardly of the side walls to the points 33, at which the cord is passed inwardly of the side walls to again pass to the outer side thereof at the points 34, the cord being formed into loops 34 which provide hand-grips. In this manner the container is provided with a carrying device which is securely fastened thereto, prevents an outward sagging of the bottom and prevents an inward sagging of the side walls, thus serving to retain the container in its distended form for carrying purposes, while at the'same time, affording a simple and effective means of carrying the device. This same attachment is also illustrated as applied to the device shown in Fig. 4.

In Fig. 3 the loops 35 are provided but the cord does not extend around the bottom, but extends'through the bottom to provide the end pieces 36, each of which is provided with a knot 37 to prevent its withdrawal from the opening formed in the bottom flaps 19 and 20. In this structure, prior to the use of the device as a packing case, the ends of the cord positioned in the container may be seized so as to draw the loop 35 into the form shown in Fig. 4, thus preventing its catching on objects when the device is used as a packing case and is being shipped.

On each of the flaps 23 and In Fig. 4 I have shown the flap 25 doubled upon its wall 15, a rod38 being projected therethrough for engaging the eyelet 39 of the handle 40. The other flap 26 is moved into engagement with the flap 25 so as to close the valise or container. A rod 41 is secured to the side wall 16 at its juncture with the flap 26 by means of the strip 42 which may be glued thereon, this rod 41 serving to engage an eyelet formed on the handle 43, this handle 43 being formed, if desired, from wire or other suitable material, and either permanently or detachably connected on the container, the rod being slidable between the flap 26 and the strip 42. This rod also tends to reinforce the walls and to prevent undue collapsing of the back.

In Fig. 6 I have illustrated a wire 44 held on the inner surface of the side wall 16 at its juncture with the flap 26 by means of a strip 45 glued or otherwise suitably secured thereto. In this instance the flap 26 is folded over the inwardly bent portion of the side wall 15 and I have punched from this side wall a tongue 46, a similar tongue 47 being punched from the fiap 26 so that an interlocking of these tongues may be effected to lock the device in closed position. It is believed obvious that various forms of attachment maybe used for retaining the device in closed position, but the form shown is an example which serves to illustrate.

The handle 48 shown in Fig. 6 and Fig. 3, comprises a cord which is doubled upon itself and passed around the wire retainer 44, and then projected through the flap 26 and the side wall 16 and tied around the retainer 44 at the inner side of the container so that the ends are loose and these ends drawn inwardly to move the loop 48 into close engagement with the outer surface of the container as shown in Fig. 3. y

In Fig. 8 I have illustrated the side wall 15 having a handgrip 49 formed on its upper edge and provided with an auxiliary inwardly projected flap 50 which is formed from a separate piece of material and suitably secured on the inner surface of the side wall 15 by gluing or in any other desired manner. It is believed obvious that the handle 49 may be folded fiat upon the top or side of the container, when it is used as a packing case and that the flap 50 will serve the function mentioned for the flaps 25 and 26. In addition to these functions a reinforcing of the packing case at its upper edge is effected.

In Fig. 9 I have shown the side walls constructed as described in Fig. 1 with the inwardly projecting flap, and I have illustrated a separate piece of material 51 secured to the other side of the side wall to provide a handhold 52, this separate piece of material being preferably formed from cardboard and glued or riveted to the side wall, although various materials will serve this purpose equally well.

In Fig. 10 I have shown the handhold 52 in dotted lines, the flap being scored to outline this handhold so that the handhold may be easily and quickly punched therefrom. Similarly I have indicated a handle 53 outlined on the side wall so that it may be punched therefrom.

The various forms indicated illustrate how the packing case may be arranged for converting into a valise or carrying device, and the preferred forms known to me have been illustrated, but it is believed that other arrangements may be made which might be equally effective. These, however, embody the features of the invention, and it is my intention to bring within the scope of theappended claims such variations and modifications.

WVith a packing case constructed in this manner, the grocer or other merchant, after emptying the packing case, may dispose of the packing case at a small price, thus eliminating the loss due to the Waste of the packing case, while the manufacturer, because of his advertising which is displayed on the packing case, will profit by the use of the packing case as a valise or carrying member.

The method illustrated for arranging the packing case for conversion into a carrying member is one which adds but little to the cost of manufacture and in no way diminishes the value of the device as a packing case.

Having thus described my invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A packing case having side and end walls, a bottom, and a flap on each of said side and end walls, the end walls each having, adjacent its upper edge, a pair of grooves meeting at a point at the upper edge thereof, and its flap having a pair of grooves extending diagonally thereacross, and meeting at the point of meeting of the grooves on said end walls, said grooves on said flap, upon the folding of said flap inwardly to engage the inner surface of said end walls, registering with the grooves on its end wall, said grooves permitting the inward collapsing of the upper portion of said end walls and the approach of the upper edges of the side walls toward each other, a rod extending longitudinally of said casing at the juncture of the side walls and the respective flap; means for retaining said rod in position thereon, said rod being slidable; and a handle engaged by said rod and secured to said side walls and detachable I therefrom.

2, A packing case having side and end walls, a bottom, and a flap on each side and end walls, the end walls each having, adj acent its upper edge, a pair of grooves meeting at a point at the upper edge thereof, and its flap having a pair of grooves extending diagonally thereacross, and meeting at the point of meeting of the grooves on said end walls, said grooves on said flap upon the folding of said flaps inwardly to engage the inner surface of said-end walls registering with the grooves on its end wall, said grooves permitting the inward collapsing of the upper portion of said end walls and approach of the upper edges of the side walls toward each other, said flaps when extended in position parallel to the bottom serving as a closure for the upper end of said case; a rod extending longitudinally of said casing at the juncture of the side walls and the respective flap thereof; and means for retaining said rod in position thereon, said rod being non-interfering with the collapsing of said case or access to said case; and a handle mounted on and detachable from said rod.

In testimony whereof I have signed the foregoing specification.

MATHIAS F. ROSER. 

